1. In this act, the following expressions mean:(a) “adult” : a person on the labour market who is at least sixteen years of age;
(b) “apprentice” : an adult enrolled at a manpower centre of Québec in accordance with the regulations made under this act, for the purpose of learning a trade or vocation in accordance with a program approved by the Minister;
(c) “apprenticeship” : a method of vocational training the program of which is intended to qualify an apprentice and includes a period of practical training with an employer and, generally, courses in relevant technical and vocational subjects;
(d) “vocational training centre” : all of the buildings, facilities and equipment used for technical and vocational training, the administration of which is entrusted to a commission;
(e) “manpower centre” : any office of the Manpower Branch;
(f) “certificate of qualification” : a certificate issued by the Ministère du Travail, de la Main-d’oeuvre et de la Sécurité du revenu attesting to the level of qualification acquired in a trade or vocation the carrying on of which is regulated under this act;
(g) “regional advisory committee” : a committee established by the Minister, consisting of representatives of employers and employees from the economic sectors of a region, for the purpose of appointing the persons who are to be members of the bodies contemplated in sections 2 and 10 which are entrusted with advising the Manpower Branch, particularly on vocational training requirements and the requirements of manpower in such region;
(h) “provincial advisory committee” : a committee established by the Minister, consisting of representatives of employers and employees chosen from among the members of the commissions and representing all the economic sectors, to advise the Manpower Branch on all matters respecting the vocational training and qualification of manpower;
(i) “commission” : a body incorporated under sections 2 to 6;
(j) “council of arbitration” : a body established under this act for the purpose of settling conflicts of jurisdiction respecting the carrying on of a trade or vocation;
(k) “general director” : the officer of the Ministère du Travail, de la Main-d’oeuvre et de la Sécurité du revenu in charge of the Manpower Branch;
(l) “regional director” : the officer of the Ministère du Travail, de la Main-d’oeuvre et de la Sécurité du revenu representing the Manpower Branch in any region;
(m) “Manpower Branch” : the Direction générale de la main-d’oeuvre of the Ministère du Travail, de la Main-d’oeuvre et de la Sécurité du revenu established by order in council to promote and apply manpower policy;
(n) “vocational training” : training the purpose of which is to enable any adult to acquire the competence required to carry on a trade or vocation;
(o) “examining board” : a body established under this act for the purpose of assessing the vocational qualifications of adults in a trade or vocation;
(o.1) “dismissal” : the termination of employment by the employer, including a layoff;
(o.2) “collective dismissal” : a dismissal involving not fewer than 10 employees in the course of two consecutive months;
(p) “Minister” : the Minister of Labour, Manpower and Income Security;
(q) “vocation” : any given occupation, whether a trade or a function, by which a person may earn his livelihood;
(r) “region” : the territory served by a commission;
(s) “regulation” : a regulation made under section 30 of this act;
(t) “skilled tradesman” : a natural person who, operating on his own account, carries on a trade or vocation.